Powering Sony mics with more than 1.5V?

[sunjan]

Hi all,

The common Sony consumer mics (ECM 121, 907, 908, 909, MSD1 etc) usually run on a 1.5V AA battery.
I find that the signal that comes out is too weak for most recorders. OK for MD recorders, but not the other models we're used to here.

Granted that these low-end mics won't produce great sound no matter what, I wonder if there's a way to improve them slightly, for those on a tight budget?

It's been suggested that SPL handling is improved when feeding a 1.5V Nak CM-100 with higher voltage (7.2V or even more?!):
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,61569.msg1289627.html#msg1289627

Could this apply to the Sony mics too, or would I risk frying them?

/J

[stantheman1976]

I hook my MS908c up to a Sound Professionals 9V preamp for voice recording and haven't had any problems.  I've owned the mic and preamp for at least a year and a half doing this.

[sunjan]

I hook my MS908c up to a Sound Professionals 9V preamp for voice recording and haven't had any problems.  I've owned the mic and preamp for at least a year and a half doing this.

Hi Stan, t+ for your experiences!

Do you still pop in a 1.5AA in the mic, or do you leave the battery bay empty when feeding external power?
Did you notice any improved performance with 9V, compared to stock 1.5 voltage?

That would be some good news...

/Jan

[Church-Audio]

Hi all,

The common Sony consumer mics (ECM 121, 907, 908, 909, MSD1 etc) usually run on a 1.5V AA battery.
I find that the signal that comes out is too weak for most recorders. OK for MD recorders, but not the other models we're used to here.

Granted that these low-end mics won't produce great sound no matter what, I wonder if there's a way to improve them slightly, for those on a tight budget?

It's been suggested that SPL handling is improved when feeding a 1.5V Nak CM-100 with higher voltage (7.2V or even more?!):
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,61569.msg1289627.html#msg1289627

Could this apply to the Sony mics too, or would I risk frying them?

/J

Most of the cheap sony mics use a cheap capsule that is not capable of handling more Sound pressure then it already does and increasing the voltage on these capsules will not do much in the way of reducing performance. The old adage. You cant turn a turd into a steak applies here.

[stantheman1976]

I leave the battery in.  I am not trying to increase SPL.  I'm just using the preamp for the gain.  I've used the combo for voice overs on video or at a podium to pick up a speaker before I had a lapel mic to put on them.  It worked fairly well in both cases.